Hewitt proves Racers’ shootout hero

After extra-time; 2-2 after 90 mins Racing Club won 5-4 on penalties

Racing Club gained some measure of revenge for their league defeat the previous Tuesday with a penalty shootout win over their near-neighbours in the Coventry Charity Cup.

Saints manager Luke Fogarty made five changes from the side that beat Racers 4-2 in the Midland Combination, including giving Matt Oliver his second start of the season in goal and bringing in Luke Swinnerton to face his old club, while Lee Knight kept faith with seven of Tuesday’s starting XI.

Saints fell behind after just seven minutes when the defence failed to clear and Luke Fuller turned and shot into the right-hand corner.

Oliver prevented the home side from increasing their lead when tipping a header on to the bar, before a powerful run from Brad Rees sent Swinnerton through, but with Neil Stacey ready to apply the finishing touch, the ex-Racer was unable to find him.

Saints went close in the 25th minute when Jon Grandfield headed just wide from a Jack Taylor corner, but they drew level in the 31st through Swinnerton, who lobbed into an empty net after Racers keeper Paul Hewitt had gone walkabout.

There was a second for Saints in the 39th minute when Josh Cole set up Taylor, who cut inside and sent a left-foot shot which floated into the top right-hand corner.

Racing Club were level at half-time, however, with Reece Lynch beating Oliver after good work from Danny Lennon.

Rain made for a tricky surface after the break but a good move involving Rees and Taylor almost ended with a goal for Saints substitute Luke Church, while Ross Jackson shot straight into Hewitt’s arms after being set up by Cole.

Six minutes into extra-time, substitute Danny Bartle put Saints back in front with his first touch, heading home John Blunsom’s cross.

With Cole forced off due to injury, Saints were forced to play the last 20 minutes with ten men and Racing Club took the game to penalties thanks to a Michael Batchelor strike.

The first six kicks were all converted before Danny Bartle put his kick too close to Hewitt and Ben Langley stepped up to put Racing Club ahead.

John Blunsom brought it back to 4-4 before Leon Thomas’ kick hit the bar to take the tie to sudden death.

The end came for Saints when Hewitt saved from Rees and Fuller converted to make it 5-4.